‘What is it, Ada? What have you come for?’ ‘Only, sir, to see that all was safe, and you were in, sir.’ ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘All’s safe; and I am in. What if I had been out?’ It was like dropping tiny pebbles into a deep well—so long after came the answering feeble splash. ‘Then I was to go back, sir.’ And a moment after the discreet voice floated up with the faintest tinge of effrontery out of the hush. ‘Is that Dr Ferguson, too sir?’ ‘No, Ada; and please tell your mistress from me that Dr Ferguson is unlikely to call again.’ A keen but rather forlorn smile passed over his face. ‘He’s dining with friends no doubt at Holloway. But of course if she should want to see him he will see her to-morrow at any hour at Mrs Lovat’s. And—Ada!’ ‘Yes, sir?’ ‘Say that I’m a little better; your mistress will be relieved to hear that I’m a little better; still not _quite_ myself say, but, I think, a little better.’ ‘Yes, sir; and I’m sure I’m very glad to hear it,’ came fainter still. ‘What voice was that I heard just now?’ ‘Miss Alice’s, sir; but she came quite against my wishes, and I hope you won’t repeat it, sir. She promised if she came that mistress shouldn’t know. I was only afraid she might disturb you, or—or Dr Ferguson. And did you say, sir, that I was to tell mistress that he _might_ be coming back?’ ‘Ah, that I don’t know; so perhaps it would be as well not to mention him at all. Is Miss Alice there?’ ‘I said I would tell her if you were alone. But I hope you’ll understand that it was only because she begged so. Mistress has gone to St Peter’s bazaar; and that’s how it was.’ ‘I quite understand. Beckon to her.’ There came a hasty step in the hall and a hurried murmur of explanation. Lawford heard her call as she ran up the stairs; and the next moment he had Alice’s hand in his and they were groping together through the gloaming back into the solitude of the empty room again. ‘Don’t be alarmed, dear,’ he heard himself imploring. ‘Just hold tight to that clear common sense, and above all you won’t tell? It must be our secret; a dead, dead secret from every one, even your mother, for just a little while; just a mere two days or so—in case. I’m—I’m better, dear.’